Bagging machine



May 21, 1963 M. MQDERMID ET AL 3,090,409

BAGGING MACHINE Filed Oct. 15, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 1953 M. MCDERMID ET AL 3,090,409

BAGGING MACHINE Filed Oct. 15, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F/c 2 H6. 7

//Vl/E/VTO/Q5 M44 601M M QEFM/D 5/ JOHN p/D/Q/YY MW /MYM 3,090,40i BAGGING MACHINE Malcolm McDermid and John Pidany, Minneapolis, Minn, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Howe Richardson Scale Company, Clifton, NJ.

Filed Oct. 15, 1959, Ser. No. 846,596 19 Claims. (Cl. 141-282) This invention relates to bagging machinery or equipment employed in the bagging and packing of granular and powdered material and particularly to an improved bagging machine having novel means for removing a bag therefrom after the same has been filled thereby.

This invention relates generally to the type of bagging machinery in which powdered and granular material such as flour, bran, animal feed and the like are customarily dropped through a discharge spout carrying a packing auger. In bagging machinery of this type, the bag is placed around the spout and supported while it is being filled by a platform carrying a jacket which surrounds the bag to prevent it from bursting while being packaged. As the bag is filled the platform and jacket move downwardly until the bag has been filled. The bag is then normally manually removed by the operator through gates provided in the jacket. In certain of these machines the bag is weighed after removal from the jacket and the contents of the bag trimmed by the operator to obtain the exact bag weight required. However, in the more improved forms of this machinery automatic scales have been introduced ahead of the packing auger to deliver a measured charge automatically to the bags to be filled which eliminates the slow and laborious operation of trimming the bag by hand.

This invention relates generally to the type of bagging machine above described and particularly to an improvement in the type of bagging machine disclosed in US. Patent 2,676,739 which machine includes automatic weighing mechanism ahead of the discharge spout for delivering a measured quantity of material to each bag and also provides automatic means for opening the gates of the jacket upon completion of the filling of the bag and also provides automatic means for quickly dropping the jacket and bag enclosed therein when the filling operation has been almost completed to prevent the packing auger disposed within the discharge spout fro-m fluffing up the material in the top of the bag, which flulfed up material in the top of each bag reduces the length of the bag available for sealing and necessitates the use of bigger and more expensive bags.

Therefore, an important object of our invention is a bagging machine of the class described having novel means for mechanically ejecting the filled bag from the jacket when the jacket has reached the bottom of its travel and the gates have been opened.

Another object is a bagging machine of the class described which is adapted for continuous successive filling of bags with granular material by a substantially completely automatic operation in which the only manual effort required on the part of the operator is the positioning of the empty bag initially about the discharge spout and the operation of a foot pedal.

Still another object is a bagging machine of the class described having automatic ejector mechanism for removing the filled bags from the jacket and delivering same to a conveyor system for delivery to the bag sewing or closing mechanism together with novel means for unseating the filled bag from the packer table upon which it rests to prevent spilling of the bag and sticking thereof.

A further object is a bagging machine of the class de scribed having an electrically controlled fluid system for controlling the operation of both the bagging mechanism and the ejector mechanism.

gratin Patented May 21, 1963 A still further object is a bagging machine of the class described having fluid controlled mechanism for raising and lowering the jacket, for closing and opening the gates of the jacket, for controlling the dropping away of the jacket and bag from the auger and for motivating the ejector mechanism, all of said fluid control mechanism being operatively interconnected which permits the bagging machine to be automatically operated through a complete cycle once the mechanism has been set in operation to fill a particular bag.

These and other objects and advantages of our invention will more readily appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bagging machine employing the improved ejector mechanism of our invention with the fluid control system not shown;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section taken approximately on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 with alternate positions of the bag holding gates and latch in full and dotted lines;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section taken approximately on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section taken approximately on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the packer table assembly with portions thereof removed for clarity of understanding;

FIG. 7 is a detail side elevational view on an enlarged scale of the ejector mechanism in assembled relationship with the jacket;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating the fluid system and the valving therefor;

FIG. 9 is .an electrical diagram of the circuitry employed for controlling the fluid system illustrated in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a detailed view on an enlarged scale of the bag holding unit as seen from the rear along the lines 10-10 of FIG. 2, showing the automatic controls for the fluid operating system.

Reference is now made to the drawings for a more detailed description of the preferred embodiment of our invention illustrated therein. Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 for a general description of the bagging machine illustrated therein, the machine includes a pair of vertically disposed channel-shaped supporting members or standards 10 supported by a base 11. The lower inner faces of the channel members 10 .are each provided with elongate inwardly extending vertically disposed guide strips 12 for guiding the up and down movement of the packer table assembly hereinafter to be described. The upper portion of the vertical standards 10 have horizontal bracing members 13 and diagonal bracing members 14 secured thereto, which members 10, 13 and 14 combine to form a rigid supporting structure for the automatic hopper scale assembly indicated generally at 15 and which is not discussed in detail herein since the same is well known in the art and does not in and of itself form a part of our invention. The bracing members 13 also support an agitator motor 16 for agitating the granular or powdered material to be delivered by the hopper scale assembly 15 to the bags.

The vertical standards 10 also support outwardly of the upper face thereof another motor 17 which drives a packing auger 18 mounted on a suitable rotatable shaft 19 and journalled in a suitable bearing 20 supported by a horizontal cross bracing member 21. The packing auger 18 is disposed within a discharge spout 22 which is in flow communication with the hopper scale assembly 15 which r from the cylinders.

'34 are connected by clevises to the upper ends of t delivers a measured quantity of predetermined amount thereto for delivery to each of the bags to be filled.

The packer table assembly or bag holding unit best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6 includes a pair of vertically disposed channel members 23 disposed inwardly of the vertical standards 16! and guide strips 12, each of said channels 23 carrying outwardly-thereof two pairs of rollers 24 supported by suitable brackets 25, which rollers 24 are adapted to engage the guide strips 12 for guided vertical up and down movement thereon.

Extending between the channels 23 is a packer platform 26 carrying a vertically disposed bag holding jacket 27 of cylindrical shape, said jacket being opened at its upper end. A pair of parallel spaced apart elongate recesses are provided in the face of the platform 26 and are adapted to receive therein a pair of elongate bag lifters 28 which are normally disposed to seat within the corresponding recesses provided so that the top surfaces of the lifters are flush with the surface of the platform 26. Each of the bag lifters is provided with a pair of depending legs 29, each of which is journalled in a cylindrical boss 36} and the lower ends of said legs each being provided with a collar 31. Interposed between and cooperatively engaging each sleeve 30 and collar 31 is a compression spring 32 which normally urges the legs downwardly to seat the bag lifters within their corresponding recesses. However, when the platform has reached the lower end of its travel after a bag carried thereon has been filled, the lower ends of the legs 29 engage the supporting base 11 and force the legs .and the bag lifters supported thereby upwardly out of their corresponding recesses to raise the bag enclosed within the jacket off of the platform 26 to facilitate the ejection of the bag therefrom.

A pair of cylinders 33 are mounted on the vertical standards 10 above the discharge spout 22, the cylinders 33 having pistons enclosed therewithin (not shown) which are connected to piston rods 34 extending downwardly The lower ends of the piston rods the channels 23 by interconnection with upstanding apertured brackets 36 which are secured to the upper ends of the channels 23 and extend upwardly therefrom. The cylinders 33 are adapted to be operated by fluid pressure, either hydraulic or pneumatic, in a manner hereinafter to be described. At this point it is suflicient to note that the cylinders 33 operate to raise and lower the bag holding unit automatically in response to a suitable control system.

The jacket 27 includes a fixed arcuate back wall 37 and a forward wall consisting of a pair of arcuate gates 38 and 38a which cooperate to form the front wall of the jacket, and these gates are hingedly mounted on vertical pintles 39 carried by the forward edges of the fixed back Wall 37. The gates 38 and 38a are respectively pivotally connected by links 40 and 40a to the forward arms of bell crank levers 41 and 41a and the rear ends of these bell crank levers .are in turn connected to piston rods 42 and 42a working in the fluid motor 43 which contains a pair of pistons connected to said rods to form a double action motor and which is located at the rear of the jacket on a U-shaped support 44 whose arms are connected to the vertical channel 23. There is a loose sliding connection between the gate 38a and the link 40a as at 4%. Pivotally connected to the forward end of the link 49a is an adjustable link latch rod 45 which is pivotally connected to one arm of a latch bell crank lever 46 mounted for swinging movement on a pivot 47 carried by the forward and swinging end of gate 38a. The other arm of the bell crank lever 46 carries apivotally mounted latch roller 43 which is adapted to engage behind a roller 49 pivotally carried by the forward and swinging end of the gate 38. The rod 45, bell crank lever 46 and the roller 43 form a dead center acting latch which is adapted to cooperate with the roller 49 to lock th two gates 38 and 33a in a closed position when the piston rods 42 and 42a are drawn inwardly into the cylinder 43 as shown in solid line position in FIG. 3.

To insure unlatching of the gates ahead of the time of opening movement of the gates and to cause gate 38a to open ahead of gate 38, resistance to extension of piston rod 42 is secured by means of a compression spring 50 enclosed in a cylinder 51 mounted on the U-shaped support 44, the said spring encircling a rod 52 carrying a head 53 Within the cylinder 51. The spring 50 reacts between the outer closed end of cylinder 51 and head 53 and urges the inner end of rod 52 against the piston rod 42. Under the arrangement provided, when fluid pressure is applied to the fluid motor 43 tending to extend the piston rods 42 and 42a the piston rod 42a is extended a short distance before'piston rod 42 by reason of the spring pressure applied thereagainst. As rod 2a extends from its cylinder, it actuates the bell crank lever 46 through the linkage provided causing the roller 48 to clear the roller 49 thereby unlocking the gates and permitting the gate 38a to swing outwardly under the action of link 40a. Thereafter, first the gate 33a and later the gate 38 will be swung outwardly as the piston rods 42 and 42a are further extended from their cylinders until the gates are swung wide open to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 3.

The ejector mechanism includes a bag engaging pusher plate 54 which is arcuate in cross section and which is adapted to lie closely against the inner wall of the jacket 27 opposite the gate members 38 and 38a as best seen in FIG. 3. The plate has attached thereto and extending rearwardly therefrom a rarnrod 55 and a guide rod 56 which are journalled in the bosses 57 and 58 respectively. The ram-rod 55 is connected to a piston memher (not shown) housed in the cylinder 59 of a fluid motoradapted to drive said ramrod in reciprocating fashion. The plate 54 in fully retracted position is completely seated in a relief portion 37a of the jacket back wall which defines a complementary recess for receiving the plate so that the outer or bag engaging surface of the plate is flush with the inner wall of the jacket so as not to interfere with the bag during the filling thereof. In the form shown in FIG. 1, a belt conveyor 6%) is disposed adjacent to and in alignment with the platform 26 and travels in a direction away therefrom as indicated by the arrows. A drive mechanism such as the motor 61 is supplied to operate the belt conveyor. An adjustable bag stop indicated generally by 62 is also provided adjacent to and in cooperation with the belt conveyor.

In FIG. 5 is illustrated a micro-switch control unit which is adapted to discharge a weighed quantity of material from the automatic hopper scale assembly 15. The vertically movable channel 23 at the right hand side of the bag holding unit as viewed from behind has an elongated cam bar 63 secured thereto. This cam bar hasan uppen tapered end 64 which is adapted to engage a pivoted arm 65 on a micro-switch 66, which is adapted to open and close a circuit causing material to be discharged from the scale assembly 15. It should be noted that the discharge micro-switch unit is so positioned with respect to the bag holding unit that it is not engaged to discharge material into the packing tube 22 until the jacket has substantailly enclosed the bag to be filled and is ready to receive the material.

The fluid control mechanism, preferably pneumatic, is best seen in FIG. 8 to which particular reference is now made. The bag holding unit is raised and lowered in reciprocating fashion as follows. The cylinders 33 are provided with fluid conduits 67 at the lower ends there of for admitting air under pressure thereto, which conduits 67 are connected to a common supply conduit 68.

The conduit 68 branches into two lines or conduits 69 a and 70 respectively, the branch line 69 being provided with packing pressure regulators 71, the branch line 70 p connecting with a timing regulator 72, said branch line 70 having in turn a branch line 73 which connects with a release valve 74 mounted on the left hand vertical standard as viewed from behind, and best seen in FIG. 4. The movable channel 23 disposed on the left hand side of the structure as viewed from the rear has a bracket 75 extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. This bracket supports a pinion gear 76 which meshes with a rack 77 slidable in the bracket 75, which is preferably in the form of a rectangular shell. A locking bolt 78 is used to clamp the rack in any desired vertically adjusted position.

The lower end of the rack bar 77 is tapered to provide a cam surface which engages an operating arm 79 pivotally connected to a valve actuating lever 80, this lever carrying a set screw 80:: adapted to engage plunger 74a of valve 74 to open the valve 74 when the lever 80 is swung downwardly and inwardly. When the bag holding unit moves downwardly, the rack bar 77 will engage the operating arm 79 to swing the valve operating lever downwardly and inwardly, opening valve 74 and thereby completely opening the line from the fluid pistons 33, this action taking place shortly before the bag holding unit including the platform 26 and jacket 27 has reached its lower limit of movement to prevent the auger from flufling the material in the top of the bag. It will be noted that the operating arm 79 has freedom for upward swinging movement relative to lever 89 to permit the rack bar 77 to raise upwardly with the bag holding unit without swinging the lever 80. A lever 89]) is also provided in cooperative engagement with the lever 80 to actuate the same and open the release valve 74 by manually raising the lever 89b in an emergency or when a lack of material occurs. The timing regulator 72 is connected with an interlock and ejector safety dual switch solenoid valve 81 by means of conduit 82, the valve '81 having its movements controlled in part by means of a foot pedal switch 83 which is adapted to close the interlock valve 81 when the foot pedal is up and switch 83 is open and which is opened by the foot pedal being moved downwardly to close switch 83 and in part by an ejector safety limit micro-switch 103 hereinafter to be described. The interlock valve 81 receives incoming fluid through conduit 84 which in turn connects with a pressure regulator 85 which in turn communicates with a source of inlet fluid such as the conduit 86. Thus, to operate the bag holding unit for vertical reciprocating movement during the filling operation, the operator simply presses downwardly on the foot pedal 83 which opens the interlock valve 81 (provided the switch 103 is closed) and admits high pressure fluid through the conduit 82 and through the timing regulator '72 and through the lines 70 and 68 to the conduits 67 supplying fluid to the cylinders 33, which high pressure fluid drives the pistons enclosed therewithin upwardly and in so doing raises the 'bag holding unit to the elevation desired. When the bag holding unit has reached its top limit of travel, the foot pressure on pedal 83 is released and the pedal rises causing interlock valve 81 to close and shutting off the supply of pressure fluid to the cylinders 33.

As the filling and packing of the bag enclosed within the jacket proceeds and the packing auger packs the material within the bag, the air pressure in the cylinders is increased or built up to a pressure greater than the inlet pressure and a substantially large downward pressure is exerted against the platform 26 which pressure is in excess of the pressure for which the packing pressure regulator valves 71 are set thereby opening these valves and slowly bleeding oif the fluid in the cylinders 33, thereby permitting the bag holding unit to move slowly downwardly as the packing operation proceeds. When the packing and filling operation has almost been completed and the bag is substantially filled and the bag holding unit is approaching the end of its lower travel, the tapered lower end of the rack bar 77 engages the operating arm 79 of the release valve 74, which opens the valve 74 completely and clears out and opens up the line from the cylinders 33 to quickly exhaust the remaining fluid from said cylinders and permit the bag holding unit to quickly drop to the bottom of its travel or movement and prevent the jacket from flufl'ing or stirring up the upper portion of the material in the bag for convenience in sealing or sewing the filled bag as previously described.

The jacket gates and ejector mechanism are supplied with operating pressure fluid through a conduit 87 which communicates with conduit 84 and brancehs into a jacket fluid line 88 and an ejector fluid line 89 which have a jacket pressure regulator valve 90 and ejector pressure regulator valve 91 interposed therewithin. The jacket fluid line '88 communicates with a four-Way jacket control valve 92 which in turn is connected to the branched fluid line 93 connected to the outer ends of the motor 43 and also connects with and controls the conduit 94 which connects with the inner portion of said motor 43. The valve 92 is operated by means of an operating arm 95 which is adapted to engage an elongate vertically disposed cam member 96 mounted on and extending upwardly from the base 11 on the left hand side thereof as viewed from behind, said cam member 96 having an outwardly tapered upper end portion 960. Thus, the four-way valve 92 is adapted to deliver fluid pressure to the inner ends of the motor 43 to open the gates of the jacket when the operating arm is in engagement with the cam member 96 and is adapted to reverse itself and admit fluid to the outer ends of the cylinders 43 to drive the pistons enclosed therein inwardly upon themselves and close the jacket gates when the platform carrying the four-way control valve 92 and its corresponding operating arm 95 are moved upwardly out of engagement with the cam member 96. The actuation of the valve 92 through engagement of the arm 95 with cam 96 is such that during the upward movement of the bag holding unit the jacket gates are not closed until the jacket substantially encloses the bag to be filled. Conversely, during the downward travel of the bag holding unit the valve 92 is actuated prior to the unit reaching the lower limit of its travel to permit the gates to be opened by the time the unit comes to rest and the ejector mechanism is ready to operate.

The ejector fluid line 89' communicates with a four way ejector solenoid valve 97 mounted on the platform 26 which valve 97 communicates with one end of the cylinder 59 by means of a conduit 93 and communicates with the other end of said cylinder 59 by means of conduit 99. The operation of the ejector solenoid valve 97 is controlled by means of an ejector timer 192 which is energized by an ejector limit micro-switch 199 mounted on the right hand side of said platform 26 as viewed from behind, whihc switch is adapted to engage an upwardly extending cam member 101 having an outwardly tapered upper end, which cam 101 engages the ejector limit switch at the lower end of the travel of the bag holding unit and causes the valve 97 to energize the timer 102 by closing the controls thereof which in turn energizes solenoid valve 97 to supply fluid through conduit 99 to the rear end of the cylinder 59 to drive the ramrod 55 and with it the bag engaging plate 54 forwardly to eject the sack from the jacket 27. After a suitable time delay of approximately two seconds, the contacts of the ejector timer 102 open causing tie-energizing of the ejector solenoid valve 97 to reverse the flow of fluid to the cylinder 59 and retract the ejector. The rear end of the guide rod 56 is adapted to engage the arm 193a of the ejector safety limit switch 103 mounted on a bracket member 104 attached to the U-shaped support 44. When the plate 54 and the rod 56 are in extended bag ejecting condition, then the ejector safety limit switch 103 is opened and thereby deenergizes the ejector safety solenoid valve 81 which in turn prevents the flow of air to the packer cylinders 33 to prevent raising of the bag holding unit while the ejector plate is in extended condition. When the ejector is retracted the ejector safety solenoid valve 81 is adapted to open to allow the free flow of air to the main cylinders 33 upon the closing of the foot switch 83. Thus, the ejector safety solenoid valve 81 is freed for opening by the closing of the ejector safety limit switch 183, which closing is effected by the engagement of the rear end of the guide rod 56 with the operating ram ldfvmwhich engagement takes place when the ejector mechanism is in fully retracted condition. 'In short, the valve 81 opens only when both of the switches 83 and 103 are closed. When the packer table leaves the lowermost position, the ejector limit switch 1% is opened, thereby tie-energizing the ejector timer Hi2 to sequence the system for recycling. Thus, the ejector safety limit switch through cooperation with the ejector safety solenoid air valve prevents the bag holding unit from rising upwardly until such time as the plate has returned to its normal position adjacent the inside back wall of the jacket.

In operation, the operator simply places a bag about thespout, and to operate the foot pedal 83. In addition,

the movements of the platform 26, the jacket gates 38 and 38a, and the ejector mechanism are so coordinated and synchronized with respect to one another through the control system provided that they all move in properly timed sequence so that there is no interference therebethe discharge spout 22 and steps on the foot pedal'of H switch 83 and, assuming that the bag holding unit is at the bottom of its travel as though the packing of a bag had just been completed or was immediately about to start and the gates of the jacket being opened, the movement of the foot pedal switch 83 downwardly opens the valve 81 (providing switch 103 has been closed by complete retraction of the ejector mechanism) and discharges high pressure air into the main cylinders 33 which causes the bag holding unit and platform 26 to steadily rise to a position wherein the jacket completely surrounds the.

bag to be filled. As the jacket table or bag holding unit rises above the jacket valve cam 96, the four-way jacket control valve 92 causes the gates of the jacket to close. As the packer table continues to rise it engages the discharge microswitch which actuates the hopper scale assembly to release a prede-terminedly measured amount of powder or granular material to the auger tube 22. As the packing of the material begins in the bag by the auger, a pressure is steadily build up which eventually exceeds the setting of the packing pressure regulator 71 and the air may be exhausted from the cylinders 33 either steadily or intermittently through the packing pressure regulator 71 as the packing continues and the bag steadily fills, thereby causing the platform 26 and the entire bag holding unit to move downwardly. It should be understood that during the packing operation the interlock valve 81 is closed.

As the bag holding unit reaches a point where the bag is almost full and the filling operation has almost been completed, the rack 77 carried by the packer table engages the operating arm 79 of the release valve 74 which valve thereupon opens to immediately exhaust all of the remaining air in the cylinders 33 and permit the packing table unit to immediately fall or drop to the base ll. As the packer table 'drops, it first engages the jacket valve cam 96 which causes the jacket gates 38 and 38a to open in a manner previously described. The packer table next engages the ejector limit switch 109' which energizes the ejector timer. The timer contacts close for approximately one to two seconds. The closing of these contacts energizes the ejector solenoid valve 97 which thereupon causes the ejector and the pusher plate carried thereby to'extend into the jacket and engage the filled bag and push the same from the jacket onto the conveyor belt. After the one or two seconds in which the contacts of the ejector timer are closed, the contacts thereof then open and thereby deenergize the ejector solenoid valve 97 which causes the ejector to retract. When the ejector plate has returned to its normal position adjacent the inside back wall of the jacket, the entire system is ready for another bag filling cycle.

It should also be noted that after the packing 'table is released for free falling movement by the release valve, the legs 29 strike the base 11 and due to the weight carried thereby causes the springs 32 to compress and there by unseats the bag lifters 23 from their corresponding recesses to jar the filled bag loose from the platform 26 tween. Thus, the bag holding unit does not rise until the ejector has been safely returned to its normally rctracted position, the gates of the jacket do not close until the bag holding unit has risen a suflicicnt distance to per mit. the gates to close about the bag itself, making easier the insertion of the bag in the jacket; the material to be bagged is not admitted to the discharge tube and packing auger until the bags are ready to receive it, and the ejector plate is not extended until the gates of the jacket have been opened after the bag has been filled. In short, the bagging machine of our invention is not only almost completely automatic in nature to simplify the operation thereof, but is also completely safe to prevent any damage or destruction due to possible mal-functioning thereof, and the possibilities of mal-functioning are reduced to a minimum. Also, the ejector mechanism and bag agitating or raising mechanism simplifies the work of the operator and reduces the chances of spilling or tipping of the bag as it is moved from the platform to the conveyor.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of our invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Bagging equipment including a bag enclosing jacket mounted on a vertically movable platform and having gate means forming a portion of said jacket, ejector mechanism laterally movable between extended and retracted positions within said jacket for pushing a filled bag therefrom through the open gate portion of the jacket during extension of said ejector mechanism and a bag filling spout mounted above said jacket, means for raising and lowering said platform between an upper bag filling position adjacent said spout and a lower bag discharge position, means for automatically closing said gate when said platform is rising and for opening said gate when said platform is descending, means for automatically extending and retracting said ejector mechanism when said platform is in discharge position only, and control means operatively interconnected with said platform raising and lowering means and said ejector mechanism preventing operation of said platform raising means until said ejector mechanism is in substantially fully retracted position.

2. Bagging equipment comprising a downwardly dis- .posed barg filling spout, an open topped bag holding unit mounted beneath said spout for movement between an upper filling position adjacent the discharge end of said spout and a lower discharge position, said unit having a bag supporting floor, side wall structure, a portion of which is movable between open and closed positions to permit lateral removal of a filled bag therefrom and ejector mechanism mounted opposite said movable wall portion for engaging a filled sack to effect said removal from the unit, and fluid actuating means for moving said unit, movable wall portion, and ejector mechanism, said fiuid actuating means including a first fluid cylinder for raising and lowering said unit between filling and discharge positions, a second fluid cylinder for opening and closing said movable wall portion, and a third fluid cylinder for operating said ejector mechanism, first valve means for admitting fluid to said first cylinder to raise said unit to filling position, first switch means actuated by said ejector mechanism when in fully retracted position and operatively connected with said first valve means and preventing opening of said first valve means to admit fluid to said first cylinders until the ejector mechanism is fully retracted, fluid escape means permitting the escape of fluid from said first cylinder to drop the unit after said bag is filled from the spout to discharge position, second valve means controlling the flow of fluid to and from said second cylinder, mechanism engageable with said second valve means for actuating same when the bag holding unit moves between said filling and discharge positions whereby said movable wall portion is closed after the unit begins its rise and prior to reaching filling position and is opened after dropping thereof by said escape means and prior to reaching discharge position, third valve means for controlling the flow of fluid to and from said third fluid cylinder, timing mechanism operatively connected to said third valve means for actuating same to extend and retract said ejector mechanism, and means carried by said unit for energizing said timing mechanism after opening of said movable wall portion.

3. The bagging equipment of claim 2, wherein the bag supporting floor of said ba-g holding unit includes a vertically movable member adapted to underlie and engage the bottom of a bag in said unit, leg structure connected to said member and extending downwardly therefrom through said floor and below same, spring means for biasing said member towards and normally holding said member in retracted position contiguous with the floor, said leg structure being adapted to engage a stationary object below the unit when the unit drops to discharge position whereby said member is moved upwardly relative to the floor and momentarily pushes against the bottom of the filled bag to jar it loose from the bag holding unit to facilitate its ejection therefrom.

4. Bagging equipment comprising a downwardly disposed bag filling spout, an open topped bag holding unit mounted beneath said spout for movement between an upper filling position adjacent the discharge end of said spout and a lower discharge position, said unit having side wall structure, a portion of which is movable to permit lateral removal of a filled b ag therefrom and ejector mechanism mounted opposite said movable wall portion for engaging a filled sack to effect said removal from the unit, fluid control means for raising and lowering said unit, fluid control means operated by the movement of said unit as the unit approaches discharge position to open said movable wall portion and actuated by the movement of said unit as it moves upwardly to closed said wall portion, fluid control means actuated by the downward movement of said unit to extend and retract said ejector mechanism after opening of said movable wall portion, and means operatively connected with said means for raising and lowering said unit and controlled by said ejector mechanism whereby said unit cannot be raised unless said ejector mechanism is in fully retracted position.

5. Bagging equipment comprising a downwardly disposed bag filling spout, an open topped bag holding unit mounted beneath said spout for movement between an upper filling position adjacent the discharge end of said spout and a lower discharge position, said unit having side wall structure, a portion of which is movable to permit latenal removal of a filled bag therefrom and ejector mechanism mounted opposite said movable wall portion for engaging a filled sack to effect said removal from the unit, fluid control means for raising and lowering said unit, fluid control means actuated by the movement of said unit as the unit approaches dischange position to open said movable wall portion and actuated by the movement of said unit as it moves upwardly to close said wall portion and fluid control means actuated by the downward movement of said unit to extend and retract 10 said ejector mechanism after opening of said movable wall portion.

"6. Bagging equipment comprising a downwardly disposed bag filling spout, an open topped bag holding uni-t mounted beneath said spout for movement between an upper filling position adjacent the discharge end of said spout and a lower discharge position, said unit having side Wall structure, a portion of which is movable to permit lateral removal of a filled bag therefrom and ejector mechanism mounted opposite said movable wall portion for engaging a filled sack to effect said removal from the unit, means for raising and lowering said unit, means actuated by the movement of said unit as the unit approaches discharge position to open said movable wall portion and actuated by the movement of said unit as it moves upwardly to close said wall portion, and means actuated by the downward movement of said unit to extend and retract said ejector mechanism after opening of said movable wall portion.

7. The bagging equipment of claim 6 including means operatively connected with said means for raising and lowering said unit and controlled by said ejector mechanism Whereby said unit cannot be raised unless said ejector mechanism is in fully retracted position.

8. Bagging equipment comprising a downwardly disposed bag filling spout, an open topped bag holding unit mounted beneath said spout for movement between an upper filling position adjacent the discharge end of said spout and a lower discharge position, said unit having side wall structure, a portion of which is movable to permit lateral removal of a filled bag therefrom and ejector mechanism mounted opposite said movable Wall portion for engaging a filled sack to effect said removal from the unit, means for raising and lowering said unit, means actuated by the movement of said unit to close said movable wall portion prior to filling of said bag and open said movable wall portions after filling of said bag and prior to the actuation of the ejection mechanism, and means actuated by the downward movement of said unit to extend and retract said ejector mechanism after opening of said movable wall portion to eject the filled bag from the unit.

9. The bagging equipment of claim 8 including means operatively connected with the means for raising and lowering said unit and controlled by said ejector mechanism whereby said unit cannot be raised unless said ejector mechanism is in fully retracted position.

10. Bagging equipment comprising a downwardly disposed bag filling spout, an open topped bag holding unit mounted beneath said spout for movement between an upper filling position adjacent the discharge end of said spout and a lower discharge position, said unit having side wall structure, a portion of which is movable to permit lateral removal of a filled bag therefrom and ejector mechanism mounted opposite said movable wall portion for engaging a filled sack to effect said removal from the unit, means for raising and lowering said unit, means for closing said movable wall portion prior to filling of said bag and for opening said wall portions after filling of said bag, and means actuated by the downward movement of said unit to extend and retract said ejector mechanism after opening of said movable wall portion.

11. The bagging equipment of claim 10 including means operatively connected with said means for raising and lowering said unit and controlled by said ejector mechanism whereby said unit cannot be raised unless said ejector mechanism is in full retracted position.

12. Bagging equipment comprising a downwardly disposed :bag filling spout, an open topped bag holding unit mounted beneath said spout for movement between an upper filling position adjacent the discharge end of said spout and a lower discharge position, said unit having side wall structure, a portion of which is movable to permit lateral removal of a filled bag therefrom and ejector mechanism mounted opposite said movable wall i; 1 portion for engaging a filled bag to effect said removal from the unit, and bag loosening means actuated by the downward movement of said unit for pushing against the bottom of the filled bag and momentarily lifting same within the unit whenthe unit reaches discharge position to loosen the filled bag and facilitate its ejection.

13. The bagging equipment of claim 12, including control means actuated by the downward movement of said unit for extending and retracting said ejector mechanism 7 after opening of said movable wall portion to effect ejection of the filled bag from said unit.

14. The bagging equipment of claim 13, including means controlled by said ejector mechanism preventing raising of said unit until the ejector mechanism is in fully retracted position.

15. Bagging equipment comprising a bag holding unit having bag supporting floor structure and side wall structure, a portion of which is movable to permit lateral removal of a filled bagtherefrom, ejector mechanism for engaging a filled sack to eifect said removal from the unit, and vertically movable bag loosening means mounted in said floor structure and adapted to engage the bottom of a filled bag and push upwardly thereagainst to momentarily lift same relative to said floor structure to facilitate the ejection of said filled bag.

16. Bagging equipment comprising a downwardly disposed bag filling spout, an open topped bag holding unit mounted beneath said spout for movement betweenan upper filling position adjacent said spout and a lower discharge position, said unit including a bag supporting floor, a bag enclosing jacket, movable gate means forming a portion of said jacket to permit lateral removal of a filled bag therefrom, and ejector mechanism for engaging a filled bag to efiect said removal from the unit, means actuated by the movement of said bag holding unit for operating said gate means and ejector mechanism, and bag loosening means for pushing against the bottom of a filled bag enclosed by said jacket and momentarily lifting said filled bag within said jacket When the bag holding unit reaches discharge position to loosen the filled bag and facilitate its ejection.

l7. Bagging equipment comprisinga downwardly disposed bag filling spout, an open topped bag holding unit mounted beneath said spout for movement between an upper filling position adjacent the discharge end of said spout and a lower discharge position, said unit having side wall structure, a portion of which is movable to permit lateral removal of a filled bagtherefrom and ejector mechanism mounted opposite said movable wall portion for engaging a filled bag to effect said removal from the unit, means for raising and lowering said unit, means for closing said movable wall portion prior to filling of the bag and for opening said wall portion after filling of said bag, means for extending and retracting said ejector mechanism after opening of said movable wall portion to effect ejection of the filled bag from said unit, and means operatively connected with said means for raising and lowering said unit and controlled by said ejector mechanism whereby said unit cannot be raised unless said ejector mechanism is in fully retracted position.

18. Bagging equipment comprising a downwardly disposed bag filling spout, an open topped bag holding unit mounted beneath said spout for movement between an upper filling position adjacent the discharge end of said spout and a lower discharge position, said unit having side wall structure, a portion of which is movable to permit la eral removal of a filled bag therefrom and ejector mechanism mounted opposite said movable wall portion for engaging a filled bag to efiect said removal from the unit, means for raising and lowering said unit, means for closing said movable wall portion prior to filling of the bag and for opening said wall portion after filling of said bag, means for extending and retracting said ejector mechanism after opening of said movable wall portion to effect ejection of the filled bag from said unit, and bag loosening means actuated by the downward movementof said unit for pushing against the bottom of the filled bag and momentarily lifting same within the unit when the unit reaches discharge position to loosen the filled bag and facilitate its ejection.

l9. Bagging equipment comprising a downwardly disposed bag filling spout, an open topped bag holding unit mounted beneath said spout for movement between an upper filling position adjacent said spout and a lower discharge position, said unit including a bag supporting floor, a bag enclosing jacket, movable gate means forming a portion of said jacket to permit lateral removal of a filled bag therefrom, and ejector mechanism :for engaging a filled bag to effect said removal from the unit, the bag supporting floor of said bag holding unit including a vertically movable member adapted to underlie and engage the bottom of a bag in said unit, leg structure connected to said member and extending downwardly therefrom through said floor and below same, spring means for biasing said member toward and normally holding said memher in retracted position contiguous with the floor, said leg structure being adapted to engage a stationary object below the unit when the unit drops to discharge position whereby said member is moved upwardy relative to the floor and momentarily pushes against the bottom of the filled "bag to jar is loose from the bag holding unit to facilitate its ejection therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent 'UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,791,654 Belcher Feb. 10, 1931 2,608,335 Rohdin Aug. 26, 1952 2,676,739 Nettekoven Apr. 27, 1934 2,756,906 Carter July 31, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 142,644 Austria Aug. 26, 1935 

2. BAGGING EQUIPMENT COMPRISING A DOWNWARDLY DISPOSED BAG FILLING SPOUT, AN OPEN TOPPED BAG HOLDING UNIT MOUNTED BENEATH SAID SPOUT FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN AN UPPER FILLING POSITION ADJACENT THE DISCHARGE END OF SAID SPOUT AND A LOWER DISCHARGE POSITION, SAID UNIT HAVING A BAG SUPPORTING FLOOR, SIDE WALL STRUCTURE, A PORTION OF WHICH IS MOVABLE BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS TO PERMIT LATERAL REMOVAL OF A FILLED BAG THEREFROM AND EJECTOR MECHANISM MOUNTED OPPOSITE SAID MOVABLE WALL PORTION FOR ENGAGING A FILLED SACK TO EFFECT SAID REMOVAL FROM THE UNIT, AND FLUID ACTUATING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID UNIT, MOVABLE WALL PORTION, AND EJECTOR MECHANISM, SAID FLUID ACTUATING MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST FLUID CYLINDER FOR RAISING AND LOWERING SAID UNIT BETWEEN FILLING AND DISCHARGE POSITIONS, A SECOND FLUID CYLINDER FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SAID MOVABLE WALL PORTION, AND A THIRD FLUID CYLINDER FOR OPERATING SAID EJECTOR MECHANISM, FIRST VALVE MEANS FOR ADMITTING FLUID TO SAID FIRST CYLINDER TO RAISE SAID UNIT TO FILLING POSITON, FIRS T SWITCH MEANS ACTUATED BY SAID EJECTOR MECHANISM WHEN IN FULLY RETRACTED POSITION AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID FIRST VALVE MEANS AND PREVENTING OPENING OF SAID FIRST VALVE MEANS TO ADMIT FLUID TO SAID FIRST CYLINDERS UNTIL THE EJECTOR MECHANISM IS FULLY RETRACTED, FLUID ESCAPE MEANS PERMITTING THE ESCAPE OF FLUID FROM SAID FIRST CYLINDER TO DROP THE UNIT AFTER SAID BAG IS FILLED FROM THE SPOUT TO DISCHARGE POSITION, 